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Duke Survives Upset Scare, Now Set to Roll Past TCU

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Siena Saints guard Gavin Doty (4) and Siena Saints center Riley Mulvey (55) defend Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Duke Blue Devils won 71-65.Siena Saints guard Gavin Doty (4) and Siena Saints center Riley Mulvey (55) defend Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Duke Blue Devils won 71-65.

Duke has been the best team in the country this season. It’s not much of a hot-take to make that claim. However, on the first day of the tournament, every flaw that we’ve seen from the Blue Devils bubbled to the surface and almost caused them to have a wildly embarrassing first-round exit.

Siena had Duke on the ropes. They held a 13-point lead in the second half, the largest deficit that Duke had faced all season long. It was a disaster of a performance for the Blue Devils, who were playing what was essentially a home game in Greenville, South Carolina. Jon Scheyer simply didn’t have Duke prepared for the moment.

When interviewed at halftime, Maliq Brown said the Blue Devils were dealing with some nerves and believed Siena would be a cakewalk.

I’d love to argue that something like this would never happen under Coach K, but he did have a team that went down to 15-seed Lehigh. If Duke has a performance like this in any other round, their time in the dance will be short-lived, but maybe this was the wakeup call they needed.

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You have to respect every team in your way in March Madness, and TCU is going to be a significant jump in talent from a Sienna team that essentially played their whole starting lineup for the entirety of the game.

The Horned Frogs physically dominated Ohio State for most of the matchup, with elite ball pressure from their guards on defense and aggressive post play, where they dominated the glass and garnered 12 offensive rebounds against the Buckeyes. Siena seemed to run out of gas in the final 10 minutes of this game, but TCU found its second wind in the final 10 minutes of theirs. They won’t just fade away if they pull away early.

Freshman Cayden Boozer was impressive in his first tournament game, doing a great job of replacing Caleb Foster as the offensive playcaller; however, he struggled to get the rest of the team involved. Cam Boozer, who will likely be the national player of the year, had a nice stat line, but was honestly bullied by Francis Folefac and Riley Mulvey. Duke will have to do a better job at getting him better looks, and Cam will have to do a better job of taking care of the ball.

Hopefully, Duke learns from their first-round mistakes and generates offensive rim pressure from start to finish against TCU. When Boozer and company attacked on offense, Sienna stood no chance of stopping them.

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With that being said, Duke -11.5 is the freest bet of all time. This team was the best in the nation all season for a reason. I don’t think they’ll put up two stinkers in a row on the big stage.

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Aeliana poised for history in 2026 Rosehill Ranvet Stakes

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During spring, it was Via Sistina leading the way. This time around, Autumn Glow has been the star.

Aeliana has remained overshadowed by two exceptional stablemates through her recent six starts, though on Saturday at Rosehill, the mare emerges prominently in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

In addition to targeting her first triumph post-thrashing ATC Australian Derby rivals a year ago, she could enable James McDonald to tie Damien Oliver’s 129 Group 1 wins Australian record.

McDonald, fresh off victory in the Coolmore Classic last weekend via Lazzura, eyes that one more Group 1 to level with Oliver, commencing his five such rides at Rosehill aboard Aeliana.

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Her trainer Chris Waller trusts the mare to supply the champion jockey’s key moment, as do gamblers backing her firmly at $1.65.

“She has come back stronger, and her first two runs have been superb,” Waller said.

“She’s got the best form heading into a Ranvet.

“This time last year, she ran second by a nostril on the same day in the Rosehill Guineas to Broadsiding and came out with an emphatic Derby win.

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“She is where she needs to be.”

Aeliana headlines McDonald’s outstanding quintet of Group 1 engagements Saturday, all under Sydney’s champion trainer.

If she falls short for the tying win, Autumn Boy as Rosehill Guineas favourite gives McDonald his prompt opportunity to surpass Oliver, then Autumn Glow, the unbeaten mare, in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

The jockey’s further Group 1 hopes rest on Fireball in the Golden Slipper (1200m) and Generosity in the Galaxy (1100m), both outsiders at double-figure quotes needing shocks.

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Potentially Aeliana’s sternest test is barnmate Lindermann ($9), who has notched two wins and two places in four Rosehill 2000m appearances.

After a creditable third on return, the gelding disappointed in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) last time, yet Waller reports full recovery and a battling effort ahead.

“He’s fine. He’s had an ECG and everything is normal so he will definitely be there,” Waller said.

Trinity College, the stable trio’s outsider, brings a Group 3 win at the distance from overseas, with solid training reports since his Aussie bow last month.

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Find the top betting sites offering racing odds for the Ranvet Stakes action.

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England squad: Thomas Tuchel explains squad selection

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England manager Thomas Tuchel explains his decisions for selecting Manchester United players Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo for his upcoming camp.

He also says it was a “tough decision” to not include Trent Alexander-Arnold in the expanded 35-man squad.

The Three Lions continue their World Cup preparations with friendlies at Wembley Stadium against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan on 31 March.

Teams must submit their final World Cup squads by Saturday, 30 May.

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READ MORE: ‘Last opportunity to impress’ – Tuchel names 35-man England squad

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Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England World Cup hopes in doubt, so what now for Real Madrid defender?

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Tuchel, who has made clear his love of the physical nature of English football alongside his want of a solid backline referenced Jarrell Quansah, Djed Spence and Tino Livramento as the players in front of Alexander-Arnold.

And although predominately a centre-back, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa played at right-back in the comfortable win over Wales in October and is an option there too.

“A slightly different profile,” Tuchel said when asked by BBC Sport about what the other players bring.

“It’s not what Trent cannot offer us. I know very well what Trent can offer.

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“I suffered when he played against my teams with Liverpool. I know very well about his strengths and what he can give.”

Livramento played the second-half of Newcastle’s 7-2 defeat by Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League tie on Wednesday, but he has already impressed the England boss.

Tuchel is big on players having “credit” for what they have previously done for him and Livramento played in England’s 5-0 away win against Serbia, arguably the most impressive performance since he took charge.

“It is a sporting decision that we stick with Quansah, Livramento and Spence who all can play in camp in the right full-back position,” added the German.

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“We have evidence with how good we were in September, October and November and the players who are in camp have to push for their ticket. They have to show again that they deserve this spot.”

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IPL 2026: KKR suffer Matheesha Pathirana blow, reveal fresh details | Cricket News

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IPL 2026: KKR suffer Matheesha Pathirana blow, reveal fresh details
Matheesha Pathirana (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Matheesha Pathirana is set to miss the opening phase of IPL 2026, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar confirming in pre-season press conference held on friday that the pacer is likely to be available only from mid-April. Pathirana, who was ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to a calf strain, is currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of Sri Lanka Cricket. He had featured in just three matches in the tournament before being helped off the field during a game against Australia.

KKR await fitness update

Providing an update on the young fast bowler’s recovery, Nayar said: “The latest update that we know is he’s obviously with the Sri Lankan cricket board and they took out his rehab, and the latest communication that we’ve had is, hopefully, somewhere mid-April is when they feel he’ll be match fit. That’s what we know as of now.”

Sri Lanka Cricket issues NOC update for IPL 2026

Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis, who have successfully completed their physical performance tests, have been issued NOCs to participate in the IPL. Nuwan Thushara’s eligibility for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the IPL will be subject to the outcome of his Physical Performance Test.”Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana, who have requested NOCs to participate in IPL 2026, are yet to undergo the Physical Performance Test, as they are still undergoing rehabilitation to recover from injuries sustained. The respective players will undergo the tests upon completion of their recovery and rehabilitation programs,” said SLC in a statement on Friday.

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“Firstly, it is a big blow” – Nayar

Nayar admitted that Harshit’s absence comes as a major setback for the KKR:“Firstly, it is a big blow, because Harshit has been an integral part of this team for the last couple of seasons, including the championship season. He’s grown a lot as a cricketer over the years, so it’s not easy to replace him.”He added that the team management is actively exploring replacement options: “Having said that, over the last few days, we’ve looked at a few bowlers. We’re trying to evaluate, with the help of the leadership group, who fits in and who can do that role to the best of their prowess.”“We’re still evaluating that and haven’t made that decision yet, but hopefully we’ll identify someone soon who can make a difference to this squad.”

Bravo backs squad depth despite setbacks

KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo struck a confident tone: “In any tournament with any team, once you lose some of the key bowling options, these are things you plan for, but also things you have to accept, the good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, is that there is a lot of depth.”Bravo pointed to several Indian pacers who could step up: “So there are some guys, as the coach mentioned, that we are definitely looking at to fill the spot – the likes of Umran Malik.”“These guys are also players who have represented the national team at some point in time and have also played in the IPL before. They are young, exciting talents. So, for me personally, I’m happy to work with this group of fast bowlers.” he added.

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Bruno Guimaraes to Man United latest, £69m transfer ultimatum, Casemiro’s crucial role

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Bruno Guimaraes to Man United latest, £69m transfer ultimatum, Casemiro’s crucial role – Manchester Evening News